Acts 12:1-4

1. Acts 12:1-4 1Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

2. Acts 12:1-4 When James Is Dead & petEr is iNprisOn

3. When James is Dead • Shattered the illusion that the apostles (church leaders) were untouchable • It reminded the church that their leaders were human, fallible and vulnerable • Leaders will fail your expectations: disappointments and offenses will come

4. When Peter Is in Prison • Coming on the heels of James’ execution, it was extremely discouraging • The progress and advance of the church seemed to come to an abrupt halt • When “Herod” sees our progress and growth, he throws something at us to discourage our faith and diminish our hope

5. Nehemiah 4:1-3 • 1 But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. • 2 And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish—stones that are burned?" • 3Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, "Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall."

6. Nehemiah 4:7-8 • 7 Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry, • 8 and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion.

7. Hope is Essential To Healthy Faith

8. Acts 12:14-16 • 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. • 15 But they said to her, "You are beside yourself!" Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, "It is his angel." • 16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

9. Hope is Not Emotion Hope is a Choice

10. Nehemiah 4:16-20 • 16 So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. • 17 Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.

11. Nehemiah 4:16-20 • 18 Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me. • 19 Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, "The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall. • 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us."

12. Acts 12:5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church

13. Acts 12:1-4 When James Is Dead & petEr is iNprisOn

14. Acts 12:1-4 When James Is Dead & petEr is iNprisOn All We Can Do Is Pray

15. a Call To praYer One week of prayer & fasting Tonight & Next Sunday Night 6:00pm in DeSha Hall